EVASIVE GOODNESS!

EVASIVE GOODNESS!

Rom 7:14-25

14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.

15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.

16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.

17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.

22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:

23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

          Paul was having a problem with Paul. He masterfully describes the conflict of the two natures. The spiritual nature has a deep desire to do good while the flesh struggles to maintain a lifestyle of sensuality and pleasure. In verse 18 he describes how goodness has eluded him. He admits to personal defeat in the matter.

          The Law is incapable of producing good. That is not its function. The Law defines God’s standard of excellence and points out our error. Three times in this passage Paul reminds that Sin dwells in us (vv. 14, 18, 20). Paul was referring to the old nature which he sometimes called the “old man” (Romans 6:6; Ephesians 4:22 and Col. 3:9). The old man fights against the new man (Eph. 4:24) must be “put on” and renewed day by day.

          Paul gives voice to the cry of every believer: “How can I stop doing bad things?” Even in the midst of doing good, Paul found that evil was right there with him waiting for an opportunity to take control. The believer under Law grows tired and discouraged because he is trying to do the impossible. Paul screams: “Who shall deliver me?” Then he answers his own question in verse 25. Now the grace of our Lord has appeared.

Titus 2:11-12

11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.

Dear Savior, I know that in my flesh dwelleth no good thing. I do not have the personal power to be good or to do good. Every time I think I have reached the mark I look to see that it has run on ahead of me. I reach out to grab righteousness and it flees from me. Evil is present with me and won’t leave me. But I am forgiven and I have been given your grace. Thank you for the cross and for your resurrection. AMEN